News

Another federal budget, another missed opportunity to help vulnerable Canadians.

In particular, I’d like to comment on seniors and unemployed workers.

Seniors housing is a growing concern in our communities, attested to by the interest in a new non-profit society in Lake Cowichan.

The federal government’s announcement to invest in the construction of social housing units for low-income seniors over the next two years is therefore intriguing.

If we are to trust that the government will follow through on its commitment, this seems like good news.

The catch, however, is that this funding, to be delivered through the Affordable Housing Initiative, requires cost-sharing with the province.

By Doug Marner

Whatever stimulus package the government proposes in this week's federal budget, it must have something that creates local jobs, says the Nanaimo-Cowichan member of Parliament.

For this area, says Jean Crowder, that means, first and foremost. help for the struggling forestry industry.

"Forestry's on the top of peoples' minds here," said Crowder. "The big thing I've heard is companies not being able to get access to credit. They can not leave our forest industry out of the equation. It's one of the main economic engines in B.C. and it's just as important to Canada's economy as the auto industry."

Also on the forestry front, she would like to see funds for skills training to help workers upgrade or to help laid off forest workers train for new jobs.

By: Krista Siefken

Stephen Harper's $85-billion deficit budget isn't good enough for Cowichan's MP.

Jean Crowder will not support the stimulus-heavy federal budget delivered yesterday by the Conservative government.

The NDP, along with the Bloc Quebecois, stated yesterday the parties will vote against the document.

"For us, this is a confidence vote, and we don't have confidence in this Conservative government," Crowder told the News Leader Pictorial Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the budget was tabled.

By Darrell Bellaart

A U.S. army deserter now living on Gabriola Island has given up his fight to stay in Canada.

Cliff Cornell lost his bid to quash a deportation order in Federal Court in Vancouver on Monday.

Friends say he is packing his belongings and preparing to return to the U.S., where he could face arrest and imprisonment. Cornell is said to be too distraught to talk to media about his ordeal.

Have projects ready, MP tells N. Cow

Sarah Simpson, The Citizen
Published: Friday, January 23, 2009

"Shelf-ready" or "shovel-ready," whatever you want to call it, Nanaimo-Cowichan NDP MP Jean Crowder told North Cowichan Mayor and council that ready-to-go projects are the most likely to get federal infrastructure dollars when the time comes.

After a 24-hour journey home from chilly Ottawa, where she attended her first caucus meeting as Chair, Crowder met with the new mayor and council Wednesday -- an annual visit both parties decided should occur more often.

Tougher restrictions called for cigarillos

By Rachel Stern - Nanaimo News Bulletin
Published: January 19, 2009

Any way you candy coat it, cigarillos are an addictive and deadly tobacco product.

“It truly is a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Dr. Derek Poteryko, director of the Central Island Smoking Intervention Clinic. “People think it’s just candy and it can’t be addictive and then get hooked back into smoking.”

Cigarillos are flavoured tobacco products akin to cigars and are available in chocolate, apple, cherry and various other flavours.

Forestry sector needs federal help, says MP Crowder
Sarah Simpson, The Citizen
Published: Friday, January 16, 2009

Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder said Catalyst's decision to forgo paying its entire tax bill will have significant effects on the Municipality of North Cowichan this year.

The Catalyst Paper Corporation has told the provincial government the amount of municipal taxes it pays is unfair and come tax time, they won't be paying what the government says they owe.

Need is urgent for economic relief
Jean Crowder, Special to The Citizen
Published: Friday, January 16, 2009

Parliament resumes on Jan. 26, with a new federal budget to follow. One can only wonder what priorities will be reflected in that budget. My hope is that it provides urgent relief for our communities and our vulnerable citizens.

Like forest workers. My heart goes out to all the families who have been affected by closures.

Jean Crowder’s letter concerning government response to Petition 392-0617, Missing Persons
Gabriola Sounder, Monday, January 12 2009

Oct 2, 2008

The Honourable Stockwell Day

Minister of Public Safety

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Building, 13th Floor

340 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A OP8

Dear Mr. Day,

published in Take 5 Magazine, December/January 2009 issue
www.take5.ca

With Gratitude…
I am honoured to have been re-elected as Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Cowichan and would like to express my gratitude to the amazing volunteers and keen supporters who made it possible. I sincerely appreciate the energy, enthusiasm and commitment that you shared.